EP 15: Building Language with Book Sharing

Books, they are not just books. They are tools that are very instrumental in supporting children to learn and develop language, more so for visual learners like children on the spectrum. In this episode of Adapting Together, hosts Xin Yi and Kevin, along with speech therapist Emma Lee, explore the importance of book sharing in language development for neurodivergent children. They discuss strategies for engaging children in reading, the types of books that work best, and how to create a positive reading environment. Emma shares insights on using shared reading to enhance communication skills, the significance of matching books to a child's interests and language level, and the role of AAC in supporting language development. This conversation provides a good foundation for parents and caregivers to create the joy of reading and building meaningful connections with children.Resources:⁠Emma Lee's LinkedIn⁠⁠Developmental Milestones References⁠⁠Directory for Qualified Professional Speech TherapistsChapters:00:00 Introduction02:24 The Power of Books in Language Development05:30 Understanding Shared Reading vs. Reading09:13 Choosing the Right Books for Children12:20 Matching Books to Language Levels18:15 Engaging Children with Short Attention Spans23:01 Digital Books vs. Physical Books31:53 Overcoming Barriers in Language Support46:16 Encouraging Reluctant Readers50:24 Using AAC in Book Sharing